Dalit Woman Accuses 64 Men of Abuse

An 18-year-old Dalit woman from Kerala, India, has accused 64 men of sexually abusing her over a five-year period, starting when she was 13. So far, police have arrested 42 individuals linked to the case, including neighbors, sports coaches, and friends of her family. The abuse reportedly began with a neighbor who molested her and shared explicit materials, leading to prolonged exploitation involving gang rapes on multiple occasions. The allegations surfaced after the victim sought help from a gender awareness program, prompting a police investigation under various laws, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. The woman has been moved to a shelter for her protection as the investigation continues, and authorities are using her father's phone to trace additional suspects. The case highlights the severe issues of caste-based discrimination and the vulnerability of young women in India.